Les Claypool at War Memorial Auditorium

Primus’ oddball fusion of funk, metal and humor was certainly not for everyone. However, given that they were the only band in music history to have appeared on the Lollapalooza, Ozzfest, H.O.R.D.E. and Family Values tours, it’s safe to say that they had a uniquely broad appeal. One of the most idiosyncratic musical personalities of the past 20 years, the band’s leader Les Claypool is also one of the few artists to have successfully straddled the line between virtuosic prog-rockin’ musical gymnastics and accessibly cartoonish radio hits—think “My Name is Mud” or the South Park theme—making him a near-household name for any music fan under the age of 40 and a cult favorite for anyone who loves bass solos as much as they love weed. Or in the case of his 2009 release Of Fungi and Foe, psilocybin mushrooms. The record, an homage to magical fungus beloved by bohemian types worldwide, clocks in at approximately 50 minutes—so if you don’t have a full eight hours to dedicate to mind expansion and you’re looking for a trip on the go, give it a spin.
Mon., July 6, 8 p.m., 2009